Coureurs des bois literally means “Runner of the woods” and it was a fur trader who did so without the permission of the the French authorities. They were settlers who, not content with farming the land took advantage of the lucritive fur trade and made their own way. Looked down upon by the authorities for flooding the market they were later “authorized” by companies such as the Hudson Bay Company and became the celebrated voyageur!
My name is David Fraser Thomas Hamel and I come from that French Canadian stock and heritage, as well as Scottish & English. My families fought each other on the plains of Abraham and the blood of the Metis is in my veins as well. My father’s side came over with Cartier and my mother’s side came on the Mayflower. Technically they are not American though because they fled the American revolution to settle in Canada. So they got out before there even was an America. I guess you could say I am a Canadian in every sense of the word.
I have decided the time has come to see my country. I have tried to do this three times now and now it looks like it is happening. Where I am sure Pierre Trudeau would have opted for a canoe, I am taking my bike. I hate hauling heavy stuff like canoes around.
I am starting this trip at the beginning of May and hope to reach Toronto (center of the universe) by Late June. Then onward to the Rock and everlasting glory!